Apr 4, 2025 - News
See inside St. Petersburg's Barack Obama Library, expected to reopen late summer
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The President Barack Obama Library in St. Petersburg. Photo: City of St. Petersburg
An end is in sight for construction at St. Petersburg's President Barack Obama Library.
Why it matters: The city's main library has been closed since 2021 for renovations that have taken far longer — and have grown much more expensive — than expected.
State of play: Officials anticipate the library to reopen late this summer, city spokesperson Samantha Bequer told Axios.
- The work has been delayed by the pandemic, rising construction costs, and the discovery and removal of asbestos in the 1960s-era building, the St. Pete Catalyst reported.
- The price tag has ballooned to about $16 million, per the Catalyst.
The latest: In a recent Instagram post, the city gave residents a glimpse into what the nearly finished library looks like inside and what new amenities they can expect. Among them:
- Dedicated teen and kid spaces.
- A computer lab and private offices.
- An outdoor reading garden with a view of Jorgenson Lake.
